Apparatus and method for detection of estrus and/or non-pregnancy
First Claim
1. An apparatus, useful for monitoring the estrus-state and/or non-pregnancy of a mammal, comprising:
- (a) a housing, suitable for being maintained within the vagina of said mammal for at least about 48 hours and having interior space suitable for installation of one or more means for monitoring, intra-vaginally, at least one physiological parameter(s) indicative of said estrus-state;
(b) monitoring means, suitable for being disposed within said interior space, for;
(i) measuring each of said parameters, and (ii) converting the resulting measurements into one or more signals representing each of said parameters; and
(c) means for transmitting said signal(s) to a receiving station located outside the mammal and capable of receiving and interpreting said signal(s) to indicate whether the mammal is in estrus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to devices for detection estrus-state and/or non-pregnancy in mammals and methods for using the same. The device and/or methods may be of particular use in cattle. The devices disclosed include at least a housing of a size, shape, and outer surface quality permitting it to be securely maintained within a mammals vagina. The housing has at least one interior space for installation of instrument(s) for measuring, intra-vaginally, at least on indicia of estrus (heat) or non-pregnancy, converting the resulting measurement into a signal or signals (electronic or otherwise). The device also comprises a signal transmitting means and, optionally, a remote receiving station capable of interpreting the signal(s).
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An apparatus, useful for monitoring the estrus-state and/or non-pregnancy of a mammal, comprising:
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(a) a housing, suitable for being maintained within the vagina of said mammal for at least about 48 hours and having interior space suitable for installation of one or more means for monitoring, intra-vaginally, at least one physiological parameter(s) indicative of said estrus-state;
(b) monitoring means, suitable for being disposed within said interior space, for;
(i) measuring each of said parameters, and (ii) converting the resulting measurements into one or more signals representing each of said parameters; and
(c) means for transmitting said signal(s) to a receiving station located outside the mammal and capable of receiving and interpreting said signal(s) to indicate whether the mammal is in estrus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29)
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19. A method, for detecting estrus-state and/or non-pregnancy in a mammal, comprising:
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(a) monitoring, from within the vagina of the mammal, one or more parameter(s) which are indicative of estrus-state;
(b) transmitting signals representing each of said parameters from a location substantially adjacent the mammal'"'"'s body; and
(c) interpreting the combination of said signals to provide an indication of whether the mammal is in estrus.
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27. A method for determining the optimal time for breeding a mammal to achieve pregnancy, the method comprising:
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(a) disposing within a mammal'"'"'s vagina an apparatus comprising;
i. a housing sized for residence within the mammal'"'"'s vagina, and having a space to accommodate installation of one or more physiological-parameter sensors;
ii. one or more physiological-parameter sensors, disposed within said housing, each capable of measuring said parameter(s) and converting said measurement(s) into one or more signals representing each of said parameters;
iii. a transmitting means for transmitting said signal(s) to a receiving station capable of receiving and interpreting said signal(s);
(b) measuring on or more physiological parameters and transmitting one or more signals representing said measurements to a receiving station;
(c) interpreting the transmitted signal(s) to provide measured data regarding the physiological parameter;
(d) comparing said measured data to a set of reference data; and
(e) selecting a time to breed the mammal, based on the data comparison.
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Specification